Thousands Say Goodbye To Fallen HPD Officer

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Houston police officer Rodney Johnson has been laid to rest after an emotional funeral service and a show of support from from hundreds of his fellow officers and friends. Houston Public Radio's Jack Williams reports.

At Grace Community Church, thousands filled the sanctuary to remember an officer who was loved and respected my many. Johnson was shot and killed last Thursday after a traffic stop near Hobby Airport. The suspect in the case has been charged with capital murder. Houston Police chaplain Monty Montgomery remembers a man who was larger than life.

"This big man comes walking down the hallway of the southeast station and he walks up to me and says, "Hey rookie." And you have to remember that he had only been on just a year at the time, but he told me, he said 'Rookie, if you need any help out there, I'll be there for you.' And I know he said that to many, many officers over the years."

This is Johnson's sister, Susan Johnson.

"It's going to be hard. It's never easy and I'm going to miss him, but I know he's with me everyday. And to his kids, we got you. He has you now, he's all over you. And the support in this room, take that with you when you leave, because this is who your father touched."

Officer Johnson had been on the Houston Police force since 1994. He is survived by his wife and five children.